Here are what the editors at HealthDay consider to be the most important developments in Nursing for January 2015. This roundup includes the latest research news from journal articles, as well as the FDA approvals and regulatory changes that are the most likely to affect clinical practice.
Colorectal Cancer Rates on Rise in Young Americans
FRIDAY, Jan. 30, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Although the overall rate of colorectal cancer (CRC) has fallen in recent decades, new research suggests that over the last 20 years the disease has been increasing among young and early middle-aged American adults. Results of the study were published in the December issue of the Journal of Adolescent and Young Adult Oncology.
Recurrent Kidney Stones Linked to Arterial Calcium Deposits
FRIDAY, Jan. 30, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Some people who develop recurring kidney stones may also have high levels of calcium deposits in their blood vessels, and that could explain their increased risk for cardiovascular disease, new research suggests. The findings were published online Jan. 29 in the Clinical Journal of the American Society of Nephrology.
Heavy Drinking in Middle Age Rivals HTN, DM As Stroke Risk
FRIDAY, Jan. 30, 2015 (HealthDay News) — People who average more than two drinks a day have a 34 percent higher risk of stroke compared to those whose daily average amounts to less than half a drink, according to findings published online Jan. 29 in Stroke.
CDC: Measles Cases in January Top Typical Load for Entire Year
FRIDAY, Jan. 30, 2015 (HealthDay News) — The United States has seen more cases of measles in January than it usually does in an entire year, federal health officials said Thursday.
Topical Acne Gel Linked to Methemoglobinemia
FRIDAY, Jan. 30, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Use of topical dapsone may have led to the development of methemoglobinemia, according to a case study published in the Jan. 29 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine.
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Decreasing Serum Sodium Ups Liver Transplant Survival
FRIDAY, Jan. 30, 2015 (HealthDay News) — For liver transplantation (LT) recipients with model for end-stage liver disease (MELD) scores above 11, survival benefit increases with decreasing serum sodium values, according to a study published online Dec. 11 in Liver Transplantation.
Isolated Systolic High BP in 30s May Up Risk of Earlier Death
FRIDAY, Jan. 30, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Isolated systolic high blood pressure in young adulthood is a predictor of cardiovascular disease mortality 30 years down the road, a new study suggests. The report was published in the Feb. 3 issue of Journal of the American College of Cardiology.
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Cancer Diagnosis Impacts Patient Adherence to Diabetes Rx
FRIDAY, Jan. 30, 2015 (HealthDay News) — People with diabetes are less likely to take their diabetes medications if they’ve been diagnosed with cancer, researchers report. The findings were published online Jan. 28 in Diabetologia.
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Cardiovascular, Cerebral Effect for Red Bull + Mental Stress
FRIDAY, Jan. 30, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Red Bull consumption combined with mental stress correlates with increased blood pressure (BP) and heart rate, according to a study published in the Jan. 15 issue of The American Journal of Cardiology.
Cutting Added Fructose Could Reduce Diabetes-Linked Morbidity
FRIDAY, Jan. 30, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Reducing consumption of added sugars, particularly added fructose, could reduce diabetes-related morbidity, according to an article published online Jan. 29 in the Mayo Clinic Proceedings.
CDC: ~8 Percent of U.S. Adults Nonadherent Due to Rx Costs
THURSDAY, Jan. 29, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Nearly one in 10 American adults don’t take their medications as prescribed because they can’t afford to, according to a January data brief published by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s National Center for Health Statistics.
Eye Tracking Could Quantify Symptoms of Brain Injury
THURSDAY, Jan. 29, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Eye tracking may help quantify the severity of disconjugate eye movements associated with concussion and brain injury, according to a study published online Jan. 12 in the Journal of Neurotrauma.
Less-Tight Control of Non-Severe BP in Pregnancy OK for Fetus
THURSDAY, Jan. 29, 2015 (HealthDay News) — When pregnant women have non-severe hypertension, more-intensive treatment doesn’t seem to affect their babies, but it may lower the odds that mothers will develop severe hypertension. That’s the conclusion of a clinical trial reported in the Jan. 29 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine.
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Starting Football Young May Lead to Higher Cognitive Risks
THURSDAY, Jan. 29, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Boys who start playing tackle football before the age of 12 may face a higher risk for neurological deficits as adults, according to research published online Jan. 28 in Neurology.
Liberals, Independents Found to Have Greater Longevity
THURSDAY, Jan. 29, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Compared to people with conservative and moderate political ideologies, liberals were found less likely to die over the course of a 30-year review. But party lines did not determine life span, with Independents faring better than Republicans and Democrats, according to the research published online Jan. 28 in the Journal of Epidemiology & Community Health.
Following BP Guidelines Will Save Lives and Money
THURSDAY, Jan. 29, 2015 (HealthDay News) — If all Americans had their hypertension under control, 56,000 fewer cardiovascular events would occur each year. And 13,000 fewer people would die — without increasing health costs, according to research published in the Jan. 29 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine.
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Results Appear Promising for Experimental Ebola Vaccine
THURSDAY, Jan. 29, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Early results suggest an experimental Ebola vaccine triggers an immune response and is safe to use. The findings were published online Jan. 28 in the New England Journal of Medicine.
PCBs, Phthalates Linked to Earlier Menopause
THURSDAY, Jan. 29, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Researchers have found that menopause typically begins two to four years earlier in women with high levels of certain chemicals found in household items, personal care products, plastics, and the environment, compared to women with lower levels of the chemicals. The study was published online Jan. 28 in PLOS ONE.
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Anxiety Moderates Amyloid-β Association With Cognition
THURSDAY, Jan. 29, 2015 (HealthDay News) — For older adults, elevated amyloid-β (Aβ) levels correlate with cognitive decline, and elevated anxiety moderates these associations, according to a study published online Jan. 28 in JAMA Psychiatry.
Teledermoscopy Feasible, Effective for Monitoring Nevi
THURSDAY, Jan. 29, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Teledermoscopy is feasible and effective for short-term monitoring of clinically atypical nevi, according to a study published online Jan. 28 in JAMA Dermatology.
Triglycerides Significantly Elevated in Women With GDM
THURSDAY, Jan. 29, 2015 (HealthDay News) — For women with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM), triglycerides are significantly elevated throughout pregnancy, according to a review published online Jan. 22 in BJOG: An International Journal of Obstetrics & Gynaecology.
Hepatitis A Hospitalizations Down From 2002 to 2011
THURSDAY, Jan. 29, 2015 (HealthDay News) — From 2002 to 2011 there was a decrease in the rate of hospitalizations for hepatitis A, according to a study published in the February issue of Hepatology.
FDA to Strengthen Approval Process for AEDs
WEDNESDAY, Jan. 28, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Automated external defibrillators installed and ready for use in many public spaces can save lives when needed, but the U.S. Food and Drug Administration says that since 2005, it has also received 72,000 reports of the devices failing.
Sleeping Well in Middle Age May Pay Off Later in Life
WEDNESDAY, Jan. 28, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Sleeping well during middle age may be an investment that leads to better mental functioning later in life, a new review finds. The findings were published in the January issue of Perspectives on Psychological Science.
Real-Time Mobile App Can Improve Sun Protection
WEDNESDAY, Jan. 28, 2015 (HealthDay News) — A smartphone application providing real-time advice about sun protection offers some improvement in sun protection behaviors, according to two studies published online Jan. 28 in JAMA Dermatology.
Benefits Package Important for Attracting, Retaining Staff
WEDNESDAY, Jan. 28, 2015 (HealthDay News) — An appropriately-targeted benefits package is crucial for attracting and retaining employees, according to an article published Jan. 22 in Medical Economics.
AAFP Advocates for Planned Vaginal Birth After Cesarean
WEDNESDAY, Jan. 28, 2015 (HealthDay News) — A planned labor and vaginal birth after cesarean (LAC/VBAC) is an appropriate option for most women with a history of prior cesarean birth, according to a clinical practice guideline published in the January/February issue of the Annals of Family Medicine.
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Many Seniors Not Reporting Falls to Physician
WEDNESDAY, Jan. 28, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Millions of Americans aged 65 and older fall every year, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. But, fewer than half tell their doctor, according to a news release issued by the Penn State Milton S. Hershey Medical Center.
Current Smoking Reduces Survival in Prostate Cancer
WEDNESDAY, Jan. 28, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Current smoking reduces odds of survival in prostate cancer, according to a new study published online Jan. 27 in BJU International.
Sugary Drink Consumption Tied to Earlier Menarche
WEDNESDAY, Jan. 28, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Girls who consume a lot of sugary drinks may begin menstruating earlier than girls who don’t, according to a study published online Jan. 27 in Human Reproduction.
Daily Blueberry Consumption May Reduce Blood Pressure
WEDNESDAY, Jan. 28, 2015 (HealthDay News) — For postmenopausal women with pre- and stage 1-hypertension, daily blueberry consumption may reduce blood pressure and arterial stiffness, according to a study published online Jan. 7 in the Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.
Postmenopausal Weight Loss or Gain Ups Risk of Fracture
WEDNESDAY, Jan. 28, 2015 (HealthDay News) — The risk of fractures increases with both weight gain and loss in older women, according to a new study published Jan. 27 in The BMJ.
Women With PCOS Hospitalized More Often
TUESDAY, Jan. 27, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) are at increased risk for a number of serious health problems, according to research published online Dec. 22 in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism.
Chlorhexidine Bathing Doesn’t Cut Health Care-Linked Infections
TUESDAY, Jan. 27, 2015 (HealthDay News) — For critically ill patients, chlorhexidine bathing does not reduce health-care-associated infections, according to a study published in the Jan. 27 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association.
Sedation Protocol Doesn’t Reduce Duration of Ventilation in PICU
TUESDAY, Jan. 27, 2015 (HealthDay News) — For children in pediatric intensive care units (PICUs) mechanically ventilated for acute respiratory failure, the use of a sedation protocol does not reduce the duration of mechanical ventilation, according to a study published in the Jan. 27 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association.
Glucose Breath Test Positivity Up in Inflammatory Bowel Disease
TUESDAY, Jan. 27, 2015 (HealthDay News) — The positive rate of the glucose breath test is higher in patients with inflammatory bowel disease, especially Crohn’s disease, than in healthy controls, according to a study published online Jan. 22 in the Journal of Gastroenterology and Hepatology.
FDA Approves Generic Form of Nexium
TUESDAY, Jan. 27, 2015 (HealthDay News) — The first generic version of Nexium (esomeprazole magnesium delayed-release capsules) has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to treat gastroesophageal reflux disease in adults and children ages 1 and older.
Provider Demographics Affect Pain Treatment Decisions
TUESDAY, Jan. 27, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Pain management treatment decisions may be impacted by a health care provider’s demographic characteristics, according to a study published in the January issue of Pain Medicine.
Difficulty Falling Asleep Linked to Higher Risk of Hypertension
TUESDAY, Jan. 27, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Chronic insomniacs who regularly take longer than 14 minutes to fall asleep appear to be at a significantly increased risk for hypertension, according to research published online Jan. 26 in Hypertension.
Benefit of Noninvasive Tests in Non-MI Chest Pain Questioned
TUESDAY, Jan. 27, 2015 (HealthDay News) — For patients seen in emergency departments solely for chest pain not due to myocardial infarction, noninvasive screening tests for coronary heart disease do not appear to benefit the prediction of future cardiovascular events, a new study suggests. The report was published online Jan. 26 in JAMA Internal Medicine.
Cumulative Use of Anticholinergic Medication Tied to Dementia
TUESDAY, Jan. 27, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Higher cumulative use of anticholinergics may increase the risk of dementia, according to a new study published online Jan. 26 in JAMA Internal Medicine.
Many Breast Cancer Patients Lack Knowledge of Their Disease
TUESDAY, Jan. 27, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Many women with breast cancer lack basic knowledge about their disease, such as their cancer stage and other characteristics, according to a study published online Jan. 26 in Cancer.
Duration of Hyperlipidemia in 30s/40s Impacts CHD Risk
TUESDAY, Jan. 27, 2015 (HealthDay News) — People at age 55 who’ve lived with 11 to 20 years of high cholesterol show double the risk of coronary heart disease (CHD) compared to people who age with only one to 10 years of high cholesterol, and quadruple the risk of people who had low cholesterol levels. These findings were published online Jan. 26 in Circulation.
FDA Approves New Meningococcal Disease Vaccine
MONDAY, Jan. 26, 2015 (HealthDay News) — The Bexsero vaccine has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to prevent serogroup B meningococcal disease among people aged 10 through 25.
Childhood Neglect Appears to Affect White Matter Integrity
MONDAY, Jan. 26, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Childhood neglect is associated with changes in the brain’s white matter, according to research published online Jan. 26 in JAMA Pediatrics.
Studies Highlight Tools for Diagnosis of COPD
MONDAY, Jan. 26, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Two studies published in the January/February issue of the Annals of Family Medicine evaluate the tools available for diagnosis of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
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Menu Calorie Data May Prompt Parents to Encourage Exercise
MONDAY, Jan. 26, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Parents might order fewer calories for their children if menus included calorie counts or information on how much walking would be required to burn off the calories in foods, according to a study published online Jan. 26 in Pediatrics.
Early Alert Intervention Cuts Heart Failure Readmission
MONDAY, Jan. 26, 2015 (HealthDay News) — An electronic medical record system, designed to identify patients who have been discharged from heart failure hospitalization and present in the emergency department, can prevent readmissions, according to a study published in The American Journal of Medicine.
Premature Death Risk Up for Stroke Survivors Living Alone
MONDAY, Jan. 26, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Stroke survivors — especially men — who live alone are at increased risk for premature death, a new study suggests.
AAP Approves 2015 Vaccine Schedule for Children, Teens
MONDAY, Jan. 26, 2015 (HealthDay News) — The 2015 recommended childhood and adolescence immunization schedules have been approved by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and other medical organizations, according to a policy statement published online Jan. 26 in Pediatrics.
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Morphine Linked With Adverse Outcomes Post-Tonsillectomy
MONDAY, Jan. 26, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Use of morphine post-tonsillectomy should be limited, as it may be unsafe in certain children, according to a new study published online Jan. 26 in Pediatrics.
AAP Opposes Legalization of Marijuana
MONDAY, Jan. 26, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Marijuana shouldn’t be legalized because of the potential harm it can cause children and adolescents, the American Academy of Pediatrics says. However, the group’s updated policy statement, published online Jan. 26 in Pediatrics, does support the compassionate use of marijuana for children with debilitating or terminal illnesses.
High Penicillin Prescribing Could Build Reservoirs of Resistance
MONDAY, Jan. 26, 2015 (HealthDay News) — High penicillin G prescribing may lead to an altered level of resistance in the commensal viridans group streptococci (VGS) population, which may be important in subsequent horizontal gene transfer events, according to a study published online Jan. 21 in the Journal of Clinical Pharmacy and Therapeutics.
HPV Vaccination Often Not Timely for Girls
FRIDAY, Jan. 23, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Only about half of American girls begin receiving the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine at the recommended age, according to a study published in the Jan. 29 issue of Vaccine.
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AAP Urges Parents to Vaccinate Children Against Measles
FRIDAY, Jan. 23, 2015 (HealthDay News) — The number of people infected with measles linked to the outbreak at Disney amusement parks in Southern California now stands at 70, health officials reported Thursday.
Higher Cardiovascular Risk Seen With Eczema
FRIDAY, Jan. 23, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Adults with eczema may also have an increased risk of heart disease and stroke, according to a study published online Jan. 8 in the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology.
Video-Based Tx May Benefit Babies at Risk for Autism
FRIDAY, Jan. 23, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Therapy involving “video feedback” — where parents watch videos of their interactions with their baby — might help prevent infants at risk for autism from developing the disorder, according to a study published online Jan. 21 in The Lancet Psychiatry.
5 Percent of Seniors Discharged From ER Admitted Within Days
FRIDAY, Jan. 23, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Nearly 5 percent of older Medicare beneficiaries seen in the emergency department have a hospital inpatient admission within seven days after discharge, according to a study published in the January issue of the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society.
CDC: Opioid Rx Prevalent in Reproductive-Aged Females
FRIDAY, Jan. 23, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Too many women of childbearing age take prescription opioids, putting any unborn babies at risk, U.S. health officials said Thursday. The report appears in the Jan. 23 issue of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report.
More Variation in Costs Than Outcomes of PCI in VA System
FRIDAY, Jan. 23, 2015 (HealthDay News) — For patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in the Veterans Affairs (VA) system, the variation in one-year risk-adjusted mortality is smaller than variation in risk-standardized costs, according to a study published in the Jan. 27 issue of the Journal of the American College of Cardiology.
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Prophylactic Antimicrobials Overused in Urologic Surgery
FRIDAY, Jan. 23, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Utilization patterns indicate that antimicrobial prophylaxis is overused for urological surgeries in the community practice setting, according to research published in the February issue of The Journal of Urology.
May Be Room for Improvement in U/S Transducer Hygiene
FRIDAY, Jan. 23, 2015 (HealthDay News) — For endoluminal procedures relying on barrier protection to avoid contamination, permeability of materials may not always be considered, according to a study published in the February issue of the Journal of Clinical Ultrasound.
ASCO Reports Biggest Clinical Cancer Advances for 2015
FRIDAY, Jan. 23, 2015 (HealthDay News) — The biggest clinical cancer advances for 2015 have been identified in an annual report from the American Society of Clinical Oncology, published online Jan. 20 in the Journal of Clinical Oncology.
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Smaller Goals to Start Could Boost Activity in Sedentary
FRIDAY, Jan. 23, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Current targets call for 150 minutes of weekly exercise — or 30 minutes of physical activity at least five days a week — to reduce the risk of chronic diseases such as diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Although these standards don’t need to be abandoned, they shouldn’t be the primary message about exercise for inactive people, experts argue in two separate analyses published Jan. 21 in The BMJ.
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Optimal Gestational Weight Gain in Obese Moms May Vary
FRIDAY, Jan. 23, 2015 (HealthDay News) — For some obese women, gestational weight gain (GWG) below that recommended in the current guidelines may be advised to reduce the risk of certain adverse pregnancy outcomes, according to research published online Jan. 18 in Obesity Reviews.
Self-Management Program Cuts Depressive Symptoms in Diabetes
FRIDAY, Jan. 23, 2015 (HealthDay News) — For patients with diabetes, a self-management-oriented group program (Diabetes Motivation Strengthening [DIAMOS]) is associated with reductions in depressive symptoms, according to a study published online Jan. 20 in Diabetes Care.
Overuse of Abx for Travelers’ Diarrhea Creating Superbugs
THURSDAY, Jan. 22, 2015 (HealthDay News) — The overuse of antibiotics to treat travelers’ diarrhea may contribute to the spread of drug-resistant superbugs, a new study suggests. The findings were published online Jan. 21 in Clinical Infectious Diseases.
Hormonal Contraceptives Linked to Higher Risk of Glioma
THURSDAY, Jan. 22, 2015 (HealthDay News) — The risk for developing a glioma appears to go up with long-term use of hormonal contraceptives, new research suggests. The findings were published online in the British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology.
Four Factors Impact QoL From Perspective of Dementia Sufferers
THURSDAY, Jan. 22, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Four factors have been identified that affect quality of life from the perspective of people with dementia. The findings were published in the January issue of the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society.
Very Low Yield for Imaging of Both Legs in Suspected DVT
THURSDAY, Jan. 22, 2015 (HealthDay News) — For patients with clinically suspected deep vein thrombosis (DVT), systematic imaging of both legs has a very low yield, according to a study published online Jan. 20 in the Journal of Thrombosis and Haemostasis.
Omega-3s May Counteract Mercury Toxicity From Fish
THURSDAY, Jan. 22, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Despite concerns over mercury exposure, pregnant women who eat lots of fish may not harm their unborn children, a new study suggests. The study — funded by the U.S. National Institutes of Health and the Seychelles government — was published online Jan. 21 in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition.
High Levels of Formaldehyde Seen in E-Cigarette Vapor
THURSDAY, Jan. 22, 2015 (HealthDay News) — E-cigarette vapor can contain cancer-causing formaldehyde at levels up to 15 times higher than regular cigarettes, according to a letter published in the Jan. 22 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine.
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Survival Rates for Extremely Premature Infants on Rise
THURSDAY, Jan. 22, 2015 (HealthDay News) — More extremely premature U.S. infants — those born after only 22 to 28 weeks of gestation — are surviving, according to a new study published in the Jan. 22 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine.
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Reviews Summarize Efficacy of Depression Tx in Primary Care
THURSDAY, Jan. 22, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Researchers have summarized and clarified what is known about depression treatment in primary care. The reports have been published in the January/February issue of the Annals of Family Medicine.
Physicians Rank the Best EHR Systems of 2014
THURSDAY, Jan. 22, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Physicians have ranked electronic health record (EHR) systems based on five key performance areas, according to a report published in Medical Economics.
Risks for Ebola Virus-Infected Pregnant Women Discussed
THURSDAY, Jan. 22, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Ebola virus-infected pregnant women are at risk for adverse maternal and fetal outcomes, according to an article published online Jan. 14 in BJOG: An International Journal of Obstetrics & Gynaecology.
NSAIDs Up Odds of Anastomotic Leak Post-Colorectal Resection
THURSDAY, Jan. 22, 2015 (HealthDay News) — For patients undergoing nonelective colorectal resection, postoperative nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) administration is associated with increased odds of anastomotic leaks, according to a study published online Jan. 21 in JAMA Surgery.
Metabolic Syndrome May Raise Death Risk Postangiography
THURSDAY, Jan. 22, 2015 (HealthDay News) — For postangiography patients, metabolic syndrome is associated with increased mortality, especially in patients with stable angina, according to a study published in the Feb. 1 issue of The American Journal of Cardiology.
Prone Sleep Position Tied to Higher Mortality in Epilepsy
WEDNESDAY, Jan. 21, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Prone sleeping may boost risk of sudden death in epilepsy, with higher risk for patients younger than 40, new research suggests. The findings were published online Jan. 21 in Neurology.
Prolonged Sitting Is Health Hazard, Despite Exercise
WEDNESDAY, Jan. 21, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Regular exercise doesn’t erase the higher risk of serious illness or premature death that comes from sitting too much each day, a new review reveals. The research is published in the Jan. 20 issue of Annals of Internal Medicine.
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Higher Medicaid Reimbursement Ups Appointment Availability
WEDNESDAY, Jan. 21, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Increased Medicaid reimbursement to primary care providers is associated with improved appointment availability, according to a study published online Jan. 21 in the New England Journal of Medicine.
More Stressors for Radiation Therapists Than Oncology Nurses
WEDNESDAY, Jan. 21, 2015 (HealthDay News) — For occupational groups in cancer care, radiation therapists (RTs) have higher mean scores for stressors and coping strategies than oncology nurses (ONs), according to a study published in the December issue of the Journal of Medical Radiation Sciences.
Coffee Consumption Linked With Reduced Melanoma Risk
WEDNESDAY, Jan. 21, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Coffee drinkers have a lower risk of malignant melanoma, with a trend toward more protection with higher intake, according to findings published online Jan. 20 in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute.
Cardiovascular Risks of Pneumonia May Linger for Years
WEDNESDAY, Jan. 21, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Older patients hospitalized with pneumonia appear to have an increased risk of myocardial infarction, stroke, or death from coronary heart disease for years afterward, according to a new study published in the Jan. 20 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association.
Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection Rates Have Doubled
WEDNESDAY, Jan. 21, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Although use of intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) has doubled in the past decade, the procedure is not always associated with better outcomes, according to a new study from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The findings were published in the Jan. 20 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association.
Routine Oral Anticoagulants May Not Benefit All With A-Fib
WEDNESDAY, Jan. 21, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Benefit from routine anticoagulation therapy to reduce risk of ischemic stroke may be unlikely in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) and a CHA2DS2-VASc score of 1, according to a study published in the Jan. 27 issue of the Journal of the American College of Cardiology.
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Incidence of PE Hospitalizations Rises From 2001 to 2010
WEDNESDAY, Jan. 21, 2015 (HealthDay News) — The incidence of hospitalizations for pulmonary embolism (PE) increased from 2001 to 2010, and a pattern of seasonal variation can be seen in PE hospitalizations, according to a study published in the January issue of the Journal of Thrombosis and Haemostasis.
Therapy Dogs May Help Patients Persevere With Cancer Treatment
TUESDAY, Jan. 20, 2015 (HealthDay News) — People undergoing chemotherapy and radiation for cancer may get an emotional lift from man’s best friend, a new study suggests. The findings have been published in the January issue of the Journal of Community and Supportive Oncology.
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AHS: Research Informs New Migraine Rx Guidelines
TUESDAY, Jan. 20, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Researchers have reviewed recent scientific literature and concluded that a number of classes of drugs are effective for treating acute migraine. The study, published in the January issue of Headache, will form the basis of new American Headache Society guidelines for the treatment of migraine.
A Dash More Salt Than 1,500 mg Seems to Lower Mortality Risk
TUESDAY, Jan. 20, 2015 (HealthDay News) — A study of adults aged 71 to 80 indicates that daily consumption of 2,300 mg of salt didn’t increase deaths, cardiovascular disease, stroke, or heart failure over 10 years. The report was published online Jan. 19 in JAMA Internal Medicine.
A Drink a Day May Keep Heart Failure at Bay
TUESDAY, Jan. 20, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Having a drink each day might help lower a middle-aged person’s odds for heart failure, according to a new study published online Jan. 20 in the European Heart Journal.
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Vitamin B-12, Folate Mitigate Reproductive Effects of DDT
TUESDAY, Jan. 20, 2015 (HealthDay News) — The adverse reproductive effects of 1,1,1-trichloro-2,2,bis(p-chlorophenyl)ethane (DDT) seem to be mitigated by vitamin B-12 and folate sufficiency, according to a study published in the December issue of the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition.
Patients Satisfied With Shared Appointments Before Mohs Sx
TUESDAY, Jan. 20, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Patient satisfaction is high for shared medical appointments (SMAs) for preoperative consultation regarding Mohs micrographic surgery, according to a study published in the February issue of the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology.
Bullying Linked to Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms in Children
TUESDAY, Jan. 20, 2015 (HealthDay News) — For 8- to 11-year-olds, bullying is associated with lower urinary tract symptoms, according to a study published in the February issue of The Journal of Urology.
Few Patients Fill High-Intensity Statin Rx After CHD Discharge
TUESDAY, Jan. 20, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Only about a quarter of Medicare beneficiaries fill a high-intensity statin prescription after discharge from hospitalization for a coronary heart disease (CHD) event, according to a study published in the Jan. 27 issue of the Journal of the American College of Cardiology.
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Viral Load at Delivery in ~13 Percent of Women Taking HAART
MONDAY, Jan. 19, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Among women who initiate highly-active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) during pregnancy, 13.1 percent have detectable viral load (VL) at delivery, according to a study published online in the Jan. 20 issue of the Annals of Internal Medicine.
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Dyslipidemia, High BP Prevalent Among U.S. Youth
MONDAY, Jan. 19, 2015 (HealthDay News) — About one in five children and adolescents had adverse lipid concentrations, and one in ten had borderline high or high blood pressure (BP) in 2011 to 2012, according to research published online Jan. 19 in JAMA Pediatrics.
Electronic Alert Cuts Proportion of IV Proton Pump Inhibitors
MONDAY, Jan. 19, 2015 (HealthDay News) — An electronic alert triggered on order of intravenous (IV) proton pump inhibitors (PPI) can decrease the proportion of IV PPIs ordered, according to a research letter published online Jan. 19 in JAMA Internal Medicine.
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Missed, Refused Vaccines Appear in ‘Clusters’
MONDAY, Jan. 19, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Parents who refuse to have their children vaccinated appear to be clustered in certain areas, a new study suggests. The report was published online Jan. 19 in Pediatrics.
Researchers Weigh in on Youth Pizza Consumption
MONDAY, Jan. 19, 2015 (HealthDay News) — On any given day in the United States in 2009 to 2010, one in five young children and nearly one in four teens ate pizza for a meal or snack, and when pizza is consumed, it makes up more than 20 percent of the daily intake of calories, according to findings reported online Jan. 19 in Pediatrics.
Many Americans Taking Meds Not to Be Mixed With Alcohol
MONDAY, Jan. 19, 2015 (HealthDay News) — A substantial number of Americans who drink also take medications that should not be mixed with alcohol, new government research suggests. The findings were published online Jan. 16 in Alcoholism: Clinical & Experimental Research.
Age at Gluten Introduction Not Linked to Risk of Celiac Disease
MONDAY, Jan. 19, 2015 (HealthDay News) — The age of introduction of gluten is not associated with risk of celiac disease (CD) in genetically predisposed children, according to a study published online Jan. 19 in Pediatrics.
Obesity More Expensive to Treat Than Smoking
MONDAY, Jan. 19, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Annual health care expenses are substantially higher for smokers and the obese, compared with nonsmokers and people of healthy weight, according to a report published online Dec. 24 in Public Health. In fact, obesity is actually more expensive to treat than smoking on an annual basis, the report author concludes.
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Supplements Curb Isotretinoin-Associated Triglyceride Increase
MONDAY, Jan. 19, 2015 (HealthDay News) — For patients with preexisting hypertriglyceridemia, ω-3 fatty acid (ω-3FA) supplementation stabilizes the expected increase in triglycerides during isotretinoin therapy, according to research published in the January issue of JAMA Dermatology.
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Rx Adherence Lower for Patients New to Diabetes Therapy
MONDAY, Jan. 19, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Factors associated with adherence to medications for treatment of diabetes include experience with diabetes therapy and related costs, thus efforts to reduce out-of-pocket costs may result in higher adherence, according to research findings published online Jan. 8 in Diabetes Care.
Mindfulness Intervention De-Stresses Cancer Survivors
MONDAY, Jan. 19, 2015 (HealthDay News) — A brief mindfulness-based intervention has a positive short-term effect on psychological and behavioral measures as well as proinflammatory signal markers in younger breast cancer survivors, according to a study published online Dec. 23 in Cancer.
BMI and Waist Circumference Are Frequently Discordant
MONDAY, Jan. 19, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference (WC) are frequently discordant, generally because of variability in visceral adiposity (VAT) within BMI categories, according to a study published in the Feb. 1 issue of The American Journal of Cardiology.
Prostate Cancer Mortality Benefit Seen for Family Hx-Based Screens
FRIDAY, Jan. 16, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Screening white men with a family history of prostate cancer appears to be associated with a decrease in prostate cancer-specific mortality, according to a study published in the January issue of The Journal of Urology.
Unhealthy Dietary Behaviors Linked to Functional Dyspepsia
FRIDAY, Jan. 16, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Unhealthy dietary behaviors are associated with refractory functional dyspepsia (RFD), according to a study published in the December issue of the Journal of Digestive Diseases.
CRP/ESR Disagreement Common in Infection, Inflammation
FRIDAY, Jan. 16, 2015 (HealthDay News) — For patients with suspected infection or inflammation, C-reactive protein (CRP)/erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) disagreement is common, according to a study published online Dec. 31 in the International Journal of Rheumatic Diseases.
Teenage Acne Linked to Melanoma in Women
FRIDAY, Jan. 16, 2015 (HealthDay News) — There appears to be an association between teenage acne and melanoma, according to a study published online Jan. 8 in Cancer.
CDC: U.S. Birth Rate at All-Time Low
FRIDAY, Jan. 16, 2015 (HealthDay News) — The U.S. birth rate remained at an all-time low in 2013, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported Thursday.
Review: Venlafaxine May Be Effective for Fibromyalgia Tx
FRIDAY, Jan. 16, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Venlafaxine seems to be effective for the treatment of fibromyalgia, although studies are limited by small sample size and methodological concerns, according to a review published in the February issue of the Journal of Clinical Pharmacy and Therapeutics.
Four-Times Daily ASA More Effective in Post-CABG Patients
FRIDAY, Jan. 16, 2015 (HealthDay News) — For patients undergoing coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery, four-times daily acetyl-salicylic acid (ASA) seems more effective than once-daily 81 mg or 325 mg ASA, according to a study published online Dec. 27 in the Journal of Thrombosis and Haemostasis.
CDC: This Year’s Flu Vaccination Offers 23 Percent Protection
THURSDAY, Jan. 15, 2015 (HealthDay News) — This season’s influenza vaccine reduces the risk of needing medical care because of the flu by only 23 percent, according to research published in the Jan. 16 issue of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report.
CDC: Neural Tube Defects Declining in the United States
THURSDAY, Jan. 15, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Neural tube defects have fallen 35 percent in the United States since mandatory folic acid fortification of enriched grain products was introduced in 1998; however, many American women who had a pregnancy affected by a neural tube defect and get pregnant again still don’t follow folic acid supplement recommendations, federal officials reported Thursday. Both reports appear in the Jan. 16 issue of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report.
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Impact of Medical Scribes on EHR Advancement Discussed
THURSDAY, Jan. 15, 2015 (HealthDay News) — The increasing use of medical scribes should not be a replacement for improving electronic health records (EHRs), according to a viewpoint piece published online Dec. 15 in the Journal of the American Medical Association.
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Epidemic of Rx Opioid Abuse May Be Waning in U.S.
THURSDAY, Jan. 15, 2015 (HealthDay News) — The U.S. epidemic of prescription opioid medication abuse may be starting to reverse course, according to new research. The findings, published in the Jan. 15 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine, suggest that recent laws and prescribing guidelines aimed at preventing abuse are working to some degree.
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Insulin Resistance Ups Breast Cancer Risk Regardless of BMI
THURSDAY, Jan. 15, 2015 (HealthDay News) — After menopause, unhealthy insulin levels may predict breast cancer risk even more than excess weight, new research suggests. The study was published in the Jan. 15 issue of Cancer Research.
Review Highlights Anesthetic Implications of Ebola Virus
THURSDAY, Jan. 15, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Recommendations are presented for anesthetic care in patients with Ebola virus disease and published online Dec. 30 in Anesthesia & Analgesia.
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Patient-Selected Audio Therapy May Ease Pediatric Post-Op Pain
THURSDAY, Jan. 15, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Going through a surgery often means postoperative pain for children, but listening to their favorite music might help ease their discomfort, according to a new study published online Jan. 3 in Pediatric Surgery International.
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Binge Eating Curtailed by Higher Doses of ADHD Medication
THURSDAY, Jan. 15, 2015 (HealthDay News) — At higher doses, the attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) drug lisdexamfetamine dimesylate (Vyvanse) curtails the excessive food consumption that characterizes binge-eating disorder, preliminary research suggests. The findings were reported online Jan. 14 in JAMA Psychiatry.
Sedentary Lifestyle Worse for Health Than Obesity
THURSDAY, Jan. 15, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Being sedentary may be twice as deadly as being obese, a new study suggests. However, even a little exercise — a brisk 20-minute walk each day, for example — is enough to reduce the risk of an early death by as much as 30 percent, the British researchers added. The report was published online Jan. 14 in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition.
Rates of Hospital-Acquired Infection on the Decline
WEDNESDAY, Jan. 14, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Rates of many types of hospital-acquired infections are on the decline, but more work is needed to protect patients, according to a U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report.
Guidance Offered for Ethical Referrals Within ACOs
WEDNESDAY, Jan. 14, 2015 (HealthDay News) — For accountable care organizations (ACOs), referrals within the ACO can be ethical as long as their selection is influenced in a manner that is transparent, with appropriate metrics and the right incentives, according to a perspective piece published in the Jan. 15 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine.
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Aerobic Exercise Reduces Fatigue With Radiotherapy for Breast CA
WEDNESDAY, Jan. 14, 2015 (HealthDay News) — An aerobic exercise program can reduce fatigue in women undergoing radiotherapy for breast cancer, according to a study published in the January issue of the Journal of Clinical Nursing.
Working Long Hours? Beware Risky Alcohol Consumption
WEDNESDAY, Jan. 14, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Working long hours may raise the risk for alcohol abuse, according to a new study of more than 300,000 people from 14 countries. The report was published online Jan. 13 in The BMJ.
Antenatal Corticosteroid Use Up, Even When Not Optimal
WEDNESDAY, Jan. 14, 2015 (HealthDay News) — From 1988 to 2012, there were increases in the rates of optimal, suboptimal, and questionably appropriate administration of antenatal corticosteroids, according to a study published online Jan. 7 in Obstetrics & Gynecology.
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Study Examines Trends in Tracheotomy Malpractice Suits
WEDNESDAY, Jan. 14, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Malpractice litigation relating to complications from tracheotomies can result in high award amounts, especially in pediatric cases, according to a study published online Dec. 18 in Head & Neck.
Race, Ethnicity Impact Breast Cancer Prognosis
WEDNESDAY, Jan. 14, 2015 (HealthDay News) — The chances of being diagnosed with early breast cancer, as well as surviving it, vary greatly depending on race and ethnicity, according to a new study published Jan. 13 in the Journal of the American Medical Association.
Metabolic Sx Tied to Higher Risk of Endometrial Cancer
WEDNESDAY, Jan. 14, 2015 (HealthDay News) — A diagnosis of metabolic syndrome is associated with higher risk of endometrial cancer, regardless of whether the patient is considered obese, according to new research published in the January issue of Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention.
Obesity Up in Past Decade, but Diabetes Incidence Stable
WEDNESDAY, Jan. 14, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Trends show that diabetes incidence has stayed higher in recent decades than it was in the 1970s, although in the past decade, diabetes incidence remained steady despite the ongoing trend of rising adiposity, according to research published online Dec. 31 in Diabetes Care.
Rationale for Overriding Best Practice Alerts Highly Diverse
WEDNESDAY, Jan. 14, 2015 (HealthDay News) — A wide range of physician-reported rationales drive overrides of best practice alerts (BPAs) for blood product transfusions, according to research published in the January issue of the Journal of Hospital Medicine.
Benefit of Carotid Stenting in Elderly Called Into Question
WEDNESDAY, Jan. 14, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Mortality risk in older Medicare patients who undergo carotid artery stenting is high, according to a report published online Jan. 12 in JAMA Neurology.
Asthma Linked With ~40 Percent Higher Risk of OSA
WEDNESDAY, Jan. 14, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Adults with asthma face an increased risk for developing obstructive sleep apnea, new research reveals. The findings have been published in the Jan. 13 issue of Journal of the American Medical Association.
Providers Urged to Address Patient Fears in Chronic Fatigue
WEDNESDAY, Jan. 14, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Easing fears that exercise may worsen symptoms of chronic fatigue syndrome is crucial in efforts to prevent disability in people with the condition, according to research published online Jan. 13 in The Lancet Psychiatry.
Community Efforts Saved Lives, Cut Costs in Maine
WEDNESDAY, Jan. 14, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Over four decades (1970 to 2010), a community-wide program in rural Franklin County, Maine, dramatically cut hospitalizations and deaths from cardiovascular disease and stroke, researchers report in the Jan. 13 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association.
Fewer Episiotomies, but Nonmedical Factors May Persist
TUESDAY, Jan. 13, 2015 (HealthDay News) — The incidence of episiotomy has been declining since the 1990s because of concerns regarding related risks and benefits, researchers report in the Jan. 13 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association.
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Rotavirus Vaccine Effective in Reduction of Morbidity
TUESDAY, Jan. 13, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Widespread vaccination against rotavirus cuts children’s rates of infection, according to a new study funded by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and published online Jan. 12 in Pediatrics.
Major Risks of Long-Term Opioid Rx Deemed Dose-Dependent
TUESDAY, Jan. 13, 2015 (HealthDay News) — The long-term effectiveness and harms of opioids for chronic pain are unclear, although the evidence supports a dose-dependent risk for serious harms, according to a review published online Jan. 13 in the Annals of Internal Medicine.
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Uninsured Visits to Community Health Centers Down Post-ACA
TUESDAY, Jan. 13, 2015 (HealthDay News) — There was a 40 percent drop in uninsured visits to community health centers in states where Medicaid was expanded during the first half of 2014, when compared to the prior year, while Medicaid-covered visits to those clinics rose 36 percent, according to new research. The findings were published in the January/February issue of the Annals of Family Medicine.
Short-Term Effects of Middle School Football Analyzed
TUESDAY, Jan. 13, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Children who play football in middle school don’t appear to have any noticeable short-term brain damage from repeated hits to the head, new research suggests. The report was published online recently in Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise.
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Over 10 Percent of Patients Taking Aspirin Inappropriately
TUESDAY, Jan. 13, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Researchers found that of 68,808 U.S. adults prescribed aspirin long-term, 11.6 percent probably should not have been because their odds of suffering a heart attack or stroke were not high enough to outweigh the risks of daily aspirin use. The findings were published in the Jan. 20 issue of the Journal of the American College of Cardiology.
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No Negative Consequences of Guidelines for Antibiotic Therapy
TUESDAY, Jan. 13, 2015 (HealthDay News) — For children with community-acquired pneumonia (CAP), there are no negative consequences associated with use of guideline-recommended antibiotic therapy, according to a study published in the January issue of the Journal of Hospital Medicine.
Propranolol, Doxycycline Combo Safe, Effective in Rosacea
TUESDAY, Jan. 13, 2015 (HealthDay News) — For patients with rosacea, combination treatment with propranolol and doxycycline is effective and safe, according to a study published in the January issue of the Journal of Dermatology.
Guidelines Presented for Clinical Documentation in 21st Century
TUESDAY, Jan. 13, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Guidelines have been developed for clinical documentation and interrelated issues. The position paper has been published online Jan. 13 in the Annals of Internal Medicine.
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Many Women Receive Unnecessary Hysterectomies
TUESDAY, Jan. 13, 2015 (HealthDay News) — In many cases, treatments other than hysterectomies could be offered to women with benign gynecologic conditions, according to research published online Dec. 23 in the American Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology.
Providers Urged to Address Patients’ Post-Cancer Concerns
MONDAY, Jan. 12, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Many U.S. cancer survivors have unresolved physical and mental health issues long after being cured, according to a study published online Jan. 12 in Cancer.
Research Suggests Diabetes Overtreatment in Seniors
MONDAY, Jan. 12, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Many older people with diabetes may be exposed to potential harm because doctors are trying to keep overly tight control of their blood glucose levels, according to research published online Jan. 12 in JAMA Internal Medicine.
Brief Well-Child Visit Inadequate for ID of Autism Risk
MONDAY, Jan. 12, 2015 (HealthDay News) — The 10 to 20 minutes of a typical well-child visit isn’t enough time to reliably detect a young child’s risk of autism, according to new research published online Jan. 12 in Pediatrics.
Preschool ‘Head Start’ Could Help Combat Childhood Obesity
MONDAY, Jan. 12, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Children in the U.S. preschool Head Start program tend to have a healthier weight by kindergarten than similarly aged children not in the program, according to a new report published online Jan. 12 in Pediatrics.
NIH: Insufficient Evidence for Opioid Use in Chronic Pain
MONDAY, Jan. 12, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Evidence is insufficient for opioid use in chronic pain, according to a position paper published online Jan. 13 in the Annals of Internal Medicine.
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Disney-Related Measles Outbreak Now Includes 3 States
MONDAY, Jan. 12, 2015 (HealthDay News) — A measles outbreak linked to Disney theme parks in California included 19 people in three states as of Friday, according to health officials.
High Rates of Missed Diagnoses of Fetal Alcohol Syndrome
MONDAY, Jan. 12, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Among youth, the rate of missed diagnosis or misdiagnosis of fetal alcohol spectrum disorders is 86.5 percent, according to a study published online Jan. 12 in Pediatrics.
Obesity in Diabetes Shortens Life, Ups Health Care Costs
MONDAY, Jan. 12, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Diabetes patients, particularly those who are obese, are at risk for many life years lost and high lifetime health care expenses, according to research published online Dec. 31 in Diabetes Care.
Preterm Birth Risk Up for Women With Low Vitamin D
MONDAY, Jan. 12, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Women who have low blood levels of vitamin D during pregnancy are more likely to give birth prematurely, new research suggests. The study was published online Jan. 7 in Obstetrics & Gynecology.
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CDC Urging Flu Vaccination, Prompt Use of Antivirals
MONDAY, Jan. 12, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Thousands of people are being hospitalized and 26 children have died from influenza so far, Tom Frieden, M.D., M.P.H., director of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, said during a Friday press briefing.
Many Patients With HCV ‘Lost’ in U.S. Health Care System
MONDAY, Jan. 12, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Many hepatitis C patients get “lost” in the U.S. health care system, according to a study published in Hepatology.
Caustic Ingestion Can Be Mistaken for Anaphylaxis
MONDAY, Jan. 12, 2015 (HealthDay News) — For children presenting with an unclear history, caustic ingestion (CI) can be mistaken for anaphylaxis due to similarity of symptoms, according to two case reports published online Jan. 12 in Pediatrics.
Clinicians Increasingly Ordering Imaging for Headaches
MONDAY, Jan. 12, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Clinicians are increasingly ordering advanced imaging and referring to other physicians for headache but less often providing counseling, according to a study published online Jan. 8 in the Journal of General Internal Medicine.
Gender of Provider May Impact Pain Management Practices
MONDAY, Jan. 12, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Male and female general practitioners (GPs) prescribe analgesics to older patients in a similar manner but differ in their prescribing habits for antineuropathic pain drugs and symptomatic slow-acting drugs for osteoarthritis, according to a study published online Dec. 17 in Pain Medicine.
Depot Medroxyprogesterone Acetate Tied to Higher HIV Risk
FRIDAY, Jan. 9, 2015 (HealthDay News) — The injectable birth control depot medroxyprogesterone acetate is associated with an increased risk of HIV infection in women, according to a review of research in Africa. Results of the review were published online Jan. 8 in The Lancet Infectious Diseases.
Supine Sleep Position Linked With Higher Risk of Stillbirth
FRIDAY, Jan. 9, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Women who sleep on their backs in the later months of pregnancy may have a relatively higher risk of stillbirth if they already have other risk factors, according to research published online Jan. 7 in Obstetrics & Gynecology.
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Glucose Level in ER Could Aid Heart Failure Prognosis
FRIDAY, Jan. 9, 2015 (HealthDay News) — The measurement of blood glucose levels in patients arriving at emergency departments with acute heart failure could provide useful prognostic information and help improve outcomes in these patients, according to new research published online Jan. 8 in the European Heart Journal.
Interim Guidance Issued for HPV Test As Pap Alternative
FRIDAY, Jan. 9, 2015 (HealthDay News) — The cobas human papillomavirus (HPV) test is an effective, one-test alternative to the current recommendation of screening with either a Pap test alone or a combination of the HPV test and a Pap test, according to an interim guidance report issued by the Society of Gynecologic Oncology and the American Society for Colposcopy and Cervical Pathology.
CDC: Occupationally Acquired HIV Now Rare
FRIDAY, Jan. 9, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Documented occupational acquisition of HIV has now become rare in the United States, according to research published in the Dec. 9 issue of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report.
Satellite Lesions Prognostic for High-Risk Zoster
FRIDAY, Jan. 9, 2015 (HealthDay News) — For patients with herpes zoster, satellite lesions are prognostic of high-risk disease, according to a study published online Dec. 30 in the British Journal of Dermatology.
Three-Step Intervention Can Reduce Pediatric Drug Errors
FRIDAY, Jan. 9, 2015 (HealthDay News) — A three-step intervention addressing the diverse causes of medication errors can reduce these errors in a pediatric setting, according to a study published in the January issue of the Journal of Clinical Nursing.
Binocular Vision Disorders Up High Morbidity Injuries in Seniors
FRIDAY, Jan. 9, 2015 (HealthDay News) — For older Medicare beneficiaries, having a disorder of binocular vision is associated with increased odds of musculoskeletal injury, fracture, and fall, according to a study published in the January issue of JAMA Ophthalmology.
Education Intervention Ups Fruit, Vegetable Intake
THURSDAY, Jan. 8, 2015 (HealthDay News) — A nutrition education intervention can increase fruit and vegetable intake among women with breast cancer, according to a study published in the January-February issue of the Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior.
FDA Approves Bellafill for Treatment of Pitted Acne Scars
THURSDAY, Jan. 8, 2015 (HealthDay News) — The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved a new treatment for acne scarring.
Novel Anticoagulants Rapidly Adopted Into Clinical Practice
THURSDAY, Jan. 8, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Novel anticoagulants have been rapidly adopted into clinical practice, and their use is associated with increased health care costs, according to a study published in the November issue of The American Journal of Medicine.
Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Tied to Development of T2DM
THURSDAY, Jan. 8, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Women with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) seem more likely than others to develop type 2 diabetes, with severe PTSD almost doubling the risk, new research suggests. The study appears online Jan. 7 in JAMA Psychiatry.
California Measles Cases Linked to Disney Park Visits
THURSDAY, Jan. 8, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Seven people in California and two in Utah with confirmed cases of measles likely contracted the illness during visits to Disney theme parks in December, according to California health officials.
USRDS: Kidney Disease on the Rise, but Patients Faring Better
THURSDAY, Jan. 8, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Despite a rising incidence of kidney disease, rates of kidney failure and related deaths are declining in the United States, according to a new report.
In Glaucoma, High Blood Pressure May Hinder Rather Than Help
THURSDAY, Jan. 8, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Chronic hypertension may increase the risk of glaucoma, according to a study conducted in rats and published in the December issue of Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science.
Stroke Risk Up Post-Cancer Diagnosis
WEDNESDAY, Jan. 7, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Cancer increases the risk of stroke independently of other stroke risk factors, such as hypertension and diabetes, according to a study published online Jan. 7 in the Annals of Neurology.
Annual Cost of Psoriasis Could Reach $135 Billion in U.S.
WEDNESDAY, Jan. 7, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Psoriasis causes up to $135 billion a year in direct and indirect costs, according to research published online Jan. 7 in JAMA Dermatology.
Intensive Management Lengthens Lifespan in T1DM
WEDNESDAY, Jan. 7, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus can reduce their overall risk of premature death by conducting multiple blood glucose tests throughout the day and constantly adjusting insulin levels to hit very specific blood glucose targets. These findings are published in the Jan. 6 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association.
Infections in ICU Up Five-Year Mortality for Elderly
WEDNESDAY, Jan. 7, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Elderly people who develop infections while in an intensive care unit (ICU) are at increased risk of dying within five years after their hospital stay, according to a study published in the Jan. 1 issue of the American Journal of Infection Control.
Mandatory Gastro Consult Boosts Care in Decompensated Cirrhosis
WEDNESDAY, Jan. 7, 2015 (HealthDay News) — For patients hospitalized with decompensated cirrhosis (DC), a gastroenterology mandatory consultation (MC) can improve the quality of care, according to a study published online Dec. 30 in the Journal of Hospital Medicine.
Rotating Shift Work May Be Hazardous to Health
WEDNESDAY, Jan. 7, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Working rotating night shifts (at least three nights spent working each month, in addition to days and evenings worked in the month) may pose a threat to an individual’s health, a new study suggests. The findings were published online Jan. 6 in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine.
Universal Preconception Care Can Cut Pregestational DM Burden
WEDNESDAY, Jan. 7, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Universal preconception care (PCC) could prevent the substantial health and cost burden associated with pregestational diabetes mellitus (PGDM), according to a study published in the January issue of the American Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology.
Low Risk of Statin-Linked Hepatic Injury in Liver Disease
WEDNESDAY, Jan. 7, 2015 (HealthDay News) — For patients with chronic liver disease, statin initiation is associated with low overall incidence of hospitalization due to severe hepatic injury, according to a study published in the January issue of the Journal of Gastroenterology and Hepatology.
Sulfonylurea Rx Ups Testosterone Levels in Men With T2DM
WEDNESDAY, Jan. 7, 2015 (HealthDay News) — For middle-aged men with type 2 diabetes, sulfonylurea treatment is associated with improvements in total testosterone levels and testosterone secretion index values, according to a study published online Dec. 15 in the Journal of Diabetes Investigation.
Bariatric Surgery May Extend Life for Severely Obese Adults
TUESDAY, Jan. 6, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Bariatric surgery appears to prolong life for severely obese adults, according to a new study published in the Jan. 6 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association.
Low Rate of Complications With Assisted Reproductive Technology
TUESDAY, Jan. 6, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Assisted reproductive technology procedures performed in the United States from 2000 to 2011 are associated with low risk of complications, according to a research letter published in the Jan. 6 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association.
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HPV Vaccination Not Linked to Higher Risk of Multiple Sclerosis
TUESDAY, Jan. 6, 2015 (HealthDay News) — The quadrivalent human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine doesn’t increase the risk for multiple sclerosis or other demyelinating diseases, according to a new study. The findings appear in the Jan. 6 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association.
Diet Advice for CA Prevention: More Veggies, Less Alcohol
TUESDAY, Jan. 6, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Eating a plant-based diet and limiting alcohol intake may help lower the risk for obesity-related cancers, according to research published online Jan. 6 in Cancer Causes & Control.
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‘July Effect’ Has No Impact on Quality of Care in Stroke
TUESDAY, Jan. 6, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Researchers investigating the so-called “July effect” found that when recent medical school graduates begin their residency programs every summer in teaching hospitals, this transition doesn’t reduce the quality of care for patients presenting with ischemic stroke.
Following AAP Guidelines Averts Kernicterus in Jaundiced Infants
TUESDAY, Jan. 6, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Newborns with significant jaundice are not likely to develop kernicterus if American Academy of Pediatrics’ treatment guidelines are followed, according to a new study published online Jan. 5 in JAMA Pediatrics.
Diet Rich in Whole Grains May Reduce Overall, CVD Mortality
TUESDAY, Jan. 6, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Each 1-ounce serving of whole grains can reduce a person’s overall risk of mortality by 5 percent, and risk of mortality due to cardiovascular disease by 9 percent, according to findings published online Jan. 5 in JAMA Internal Medicine.
Excessive Kidney Concerns Prevent Metformin Use in T2DM
TUESDAY, Jan. 6, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Concerns about safety of metformin in renal impairment may be unnecessarily preventing its use in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), according to a research letter published online Jan. 5 in JAMA Internal Medicine.
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CDC: Outpatient Visits for Flu-Like Symptoms Up
TUESDAY, Jan. 6, 2015 (HealthDay News) — The current flu season, already off to a rough start, continues to get worse, with 43 states now reporting widespread flu activity and 21 child deaths so far, U.S. health officials said Monday.
Injections for Knee Arthritis Most Effective for Pain Relief
TUESDAY, Jan. 6, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Using data from 137 studies, researchers have concluded that all of the widely used arthritis treatments provide more relief from knee pain over three months than do placebo pills. The findings are published in the Jan. 6 issue of the Annals of Internal Medicine.
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Financial Factors Most Motivating in Nurses’ Retirement Choices
TUESDAY, Jan. 6, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Older nurses report leaving the workforce before retirement or pension age primarily for financial, social, and health reasons, according to a study published online Dec. 19 in the Journal of Clinical Nursing.
For ER Patients, Self-Reported Drug Ingestion History Poor
TUESDAY, Jan. 6, 2015 (HealthDay News) — For patients presenting to the emergency department, self-reported drug ingestion histories are poor when confirmed by urine comprehensive drug screen (CDS), according to a study published in the January issue of The Journal of Clinical Pharmacology.
ACS Reports 22 Percent Drop in Cancer Mortality Over 20 Years
TUESDAY, Jan. 6, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Progress in the war against cancer has triggered a 22 percent drop in U.S. deaths over the past two decades, translating to about 1.5 million lives saved, according to a new report from the American Cancer Society.
Prolonged Bed Rest May Worsen Concussion Recovery
MONDAY, Jan. 5, 2015 (HealthDay News) — For teens who suffer a mild concussion, more rest may not be better — and may be worse — in aiding recovery from the brain injury, new research suggests. The findings of the small study were published online Jan. 5 in Pediatrics.
Survival Advantage of ADT+RT in Prostate CA Extends to Older Men
MONDAY, Jan. 5, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Androgen-deprivation therapy with radiotherapy (ADT plus RT) is associated with a survival advantage over ADT alone for older men with locally advanced or screen-detected high-risk prostate cancer, according to a study published online Jan. 5 in the Journal of Clinical Oncology.
Health Care-Linked Infections Up Costs in Cardiac Surgery
MONDAY, Jan. 5, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Health care-associated infections (HAIs) are strongly linked to hospital costs, length of stay, and readmission, according to research published in the Jan. 6 issue of the Journal of the American College of Cardiology.
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Low Prevalence of Chlamydia, Gonorrhea Suggests Overscreening
MONDAY, Jan. 5, 2015 (HealthDay News) — For urban women aged 25 years and older, the prevalence of Chlamydia trachomatis (CT) and Neisseria gonorrhoeae (NG) is low, and women may be overscreened, according to a study published in the January issue of the American Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology.
Oncologists Not Discussing Supplement Use With Patients
MONDAY, Jan. 5, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Fewer than half of oncologists bring up the subject of herbs or supplements with their patients, with many doctors citing their own lack of information as a major reason why they skip the conversation, according to research published in the Dec. 20 issue of the Journal of Clinical Oncology.
Review: SSRI Use Ups Risk of Upper GI Bleeding
MONDAY, Jan. 5, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) use is associated with increased risk of upper gastrointestinal bleeding (UGIB), according to a meta-analysis published in the January issue of Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology.
Screens in Sleep Environment Linked to Sleep Duration
MONDAY, Jan. 5, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Sleep duration is associated with sleeping near a small screen, sleeping with a television in the room, and more screen time, while perceived insufficient rest or sleep correlates with the presence of a small screen and screen time, according to a study published online Jan. 5 in Pediatrics.
Mediators Explain Paternal Depression, Child Behavior Link
MONDAY, Jan. 5, 2015 (HealthDay News) — The correlation between depression in fathers in the postnatal period and subsequent child behavior is mainly mediated by the family environment, according to a study published online Jan. 5 in Pediatrics.
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